FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter

Description

FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter for Low Current Measurement

The FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter is designed for applications that require extremely accurate monitoring of low level currents. This four channel FPGA Mezzanine Card follows the VITA 57.1 Low Pin Count FMC standard and integrates easily with many FPGA carrier platforms used in research laboratories and high performance measurement systems.

Each channel features an independent analog to digital converter that performs simultaneous sampling with a resolution of 20 bits. The converters operate at sampling rates up to 1 megasample per second, allowing the system to capture fast signal variations while maintaining excellent measurement accuracy. This capability makes the FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter ideal for precision monitoring applications where high speed acquisition and high resolution data are both essential.

Floating Input Capability

A key advantage of the FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter is its floating input architecture. Each channel can measure currents from sources that are floating up to ±300 volts relative to the FMC ground. This capability is extremely useful in measurement environments where detectors or current sources must be biased independently from the acquisition system.

The floating design helps maintain measurement integrity and ensures safe integration with sensitive instrumentation systems. It also expands the range of applications where the board can be deployed, including particle detector monitoring, sensor bias measurements, and current monitoring in high voltage systems.

Advanced Analog Performance

The FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter uses a carefully designed analog front end to deliver low noise performance and high stability. The circuit architecture minimizes channel imbalance and reduces temperature related variations that could affect measurement accuracy. This ensures consistent performance even during long operating periods or in changing environmental conditions.

To further enhance accuracy, optional factory calibration can be performed for each channel. The calibration parameters are stored directly in the on board EEPROM memory. These calibration values can be accessed through the I2C interface available on the FMC connector, allowing the system to apply correction factors during operation.

Synchronization and Data Acquisition

The FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter includes a trigger input that enables synchronization with external events. By applying a trigger signal through the FMC connector, users can start the conversion of data samples at precisely defined moments. This feature is particularly valuable in applications that require measurements to be synchronized with machine cycles or periodic system events.

Each channel provides a dedicated SPI communication link for data readout while sharing a common clock signal. This architecture enables efficient and high speed transfer of measurement data to the FPGA carrier board for further processing and analysis.

The FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter is available in multiple versions that support different measurement ranges and bandwidths. This flexibility allows engineers to choose the most suitable configuration based on the current levels and frequency characteristics of their application.

With its high resolution acquisition, floating input capability, and flexible configuration options, the FMC-PICO-1M4 Ammeter offers a powerful solution for accurate low current monitoring in advanced scientific and industrial systems.

Technical Specifications

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Additional information